Minnesota Lynx Snuffed by Botched Call in Championship Game

Last night the Minnesota Lynx were on the path to win their fourth WNBA Championship, until a botched call held them short.

The Minnesota Lynx were ready to add some hardware to their trophy case in last night’s game 5 of the WNBA Championship. It was the matchup that everyone wanted, against the Los Angeles Spark.

With Minnesota already reaching dynasty status, this was the next level proving to everyone that they were untouchable in the WNBA.

With a little over two minutes left in the the Lynx went on a 6-0 run putting themselves down 2. On an inbounds play, Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen intercepted the inbounds pass and took the ball cross court for a layup to tie the game.

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The momentum had changed. It looked like the Lynx dynasty could not be stopped.

After another missed shot by the Sparks, the Lynx came down the court and and put in another shot. Then the Sparks came down the court to make another shot, but the shot clock had already expired.

When the replay showed on the screen, the ball was still in the hands on the Sparks player. Only having two timeouts and possibly needing them down the stretch, the Lynx passed in the ball and continued to play.

Maya Moore was passed the ball, missed her three point attempt which was rebounded by the Lynx and led to a foul on the put back attempt.

As the play by play announcer went into the break, he mentioned that the officials would review the Sparks play that would have been a shot clock violation, since the referees had signaled that they were going to review it after it happened, and they would rescind those two points.

After the break, the officials said that they could not rescind the points since they did not stop play after the basket.

Today the WNBA came out and admitted their mistake.

This is another big let down in Minnesota sports.

To let a referee who did not know the rules determine a championship game, is beyond me.

There were many plays that could have changed the game, and as they say “the game does not come down to one play,” but it is hard to not think about this lethal mistake.

Losing by one point, when they should have rescinded two one the Sparks points, is unbelievable.

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This will hopefully give the Minnesota Lynx more motivation coming into next year. We know who the best team in the WNBA is.